Although I am not in the market to buy art, I am always in the market to experience it. Monthly Adirondack Art Walks are always buzzing with activity. Young people are receiving instruction as they paint on easels set up on a street corner. Musicians are tucked in gazebos and under tents. Wood carvers and other artists welcome people into galleries. The atmosphere is always extremely friendly.

My children are used to going to museums and walking through shows since this is what they have been doing since each was in a stroller. Each art galley is like a mini museum showcasing creativity. Children can also put a different perspective to everything. My daughter still can see a mermaid in practically any piece of modern art and my son is curious about the artistic process.

If you feel your children won’t be able to walk through a gallery without running around, start their art education slowly by going to your local library. Most libraries have extensive collections of art and some even have their own self-guided tours.

Monthly Art Walks are just one way to spend some time as a family, see artists at work and meet the people behind the art. The various Adirondack Art Walk locations have all sorts of activities planned from live music to interactive exhibits.

Old Forge’s businesses stay open a bit later on the first Friday of every month from June through October to provide various events for art enthusiasts. The VIEW even offers a reduced fee during those events.  Saratoga Springs hosts a monthly art walk on First Fridays from 6 pm – 8pm at the Historic Arts District Beekman Street.

The Third Thursday seems to be the most popular time to conduct an Adirondack art walk. Downtown Saranac Lake’s Third Thursday ArtWalk runs from June through September. A map is available at each venue for the free self-guided tour. This year the times are 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  An online directory of ongoing activities and events is available for other art venues around Saranac Lake.

The Third Thursday North Creek Art Walk  in North Creek offers an Art Walk as well as free “platform talks” featuring local historians.

Downtown Glens Falls Art Walk  is also the third Thursday featuring author readings, mixed media presentations and even an outdoor film series as part of the Art in the Public Eye series.

There are so many galleries, tours and places to experience art in the Adirondacks. The above events are just a few. The Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks publishes a directory listing area artist as well as the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council lists events, festivals and galleries.

Whatever way you choose to put more art in your life, whether it’s hanging on your own walls or “window-shopping” someone else’s, the monthly Art Walks promise to be full of fun for the family.

Photo of ArtWalk Artist used with the permission of Adirondack Family Time.